Archive for the ‘Trucking 101’ Category

Lifting Wall Board Tarps

Posted by deckerAdmin

When a driver arrives at a consignee with a load of wall board, the driver
unstraps the load, removes the bungees and pulls the wall board tarp onto the ground and folds it up. Because of the fall hazard, drivers are not allowed to get on top of their load and fold the tarp on the load and then roll it off the load onto the trailer deck. With each load of wall board we haul, a situation arises in which our driver needs to get his two folded wall board tarps from the ground onto the trailer.

The average weight of a wall board tarp is 115.5 pounds. More if it is old and wet, less if it is brand
new and dry. Since 1-1-19 we have had eight drivers (2 in 2019 and 6 in 2020) sustain injuries lifting their wall board tarps from the ground on to their trailer. Body parts affected are (lower) backs and shoulders. Cost of claims for those injuries range from Report Only to more than $50K. In an effort to eliminate these injuries we are implementing the following practice for getting those tarps back on the trailer.


The following is a hierarchy of methods for our drivers to get their tarps back on the trailer while minimizing the possibility of injury.

  1. When possible, ask the forklift operator to lift the tarps onto the trailer.
  1. The second choice for putting tarps on the trailer is to team lift the tarps onto the trailer. Ask another driver to assist in getting the tarps on the trailer. Decker drivers should volunteer to assist other Decker drivers in lifting their tarps onto the trailer.
  1. In the event that numbers 1 and 2 above are not possible, the driver should drag each tarp over to the deck plate steps on the tractor, roll the tarp end-over-end up the steps onto the deck plate and then roll the tarp end-over-end from the deck plate onto the trailer. Repeat for the second wallboard tarp.

Under no circumstances is a driver to lift his/her wallboard tarp from the ground onto the trailer without help. To do so would risk significant injury and be considered a company policy violation and subject the driver to the appropriate discipline.

improper way to lift a wall board tarp

Employee Spotlight – Tiffany Giekes

Posted by deckerAdmin

Tiffany Giekes, Vice President of Business Process and Technology joins host, Darin Ladlie, over the phone to discuss the new GeoTab/Transflo tablet that is coming soon for all Decker Professional Drivers!  

Tiffany talks all about what this new communication and logging device can do and how this latest technology is so Driver-friendly and will be much easier and more convenient for all Drivers to use.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you have topic suggestions or questions you want answered on the podcast, you can email them to podcast@deckermail.com. Or you can create a voice memo on your smartphone and email it to podcast@deckermail.com.

Stick around to hear our new segment, “Words of Wisdom from the Office Staff.” This week, Driver Recruiter Anna Randazzo calls in to tell us a funny story about trucking vocabulary for beginners.

Anna Randazzo

Upgrading ELDs to Transflo/GeoTab

Posted by deckerAdmin

What is GeoTab and Transflo?

GeoTab has partnered with Transflo to provide us with a
great new communication and logging device for all Decker
Professional Drivers. These new tablets will replace the
Omnitracs units that are currently in your trucks.

July 28th, 2020 YouTube LIVE

What can GeoTab do?

Future functionality includes:

Learn more about Hours of Service logging, click now. https://youtu.be/Msw0XCKriXI

When can I get my new tablet?

Helpful Links

Stop The Spread Of Germs At Work

Posted by deckerAdmin

There is a lot of contagious illness going around our country right now, notable the Coronavirus, so we wanted to take a few minutes to remind you to stay diligent about your health when you are out on the road as well as back at home!  You come into contact with people from all over, so keep these tips in mind to help you stay healthy:

If you have any questions please contact our Health & Benefits Manager, Andrea, at Ext. 2350.

Stay healthy and stay safe!

Stay Healthy

How To Weigh A Load

Posted by deckerAdmin

We’ve had some recent questions concerning what our legal steer axle weight for Decker trucks is. Let’s start by answering that…

The rating of the axles is always available in the left door jamb of the truck and it is recommended this decal be referenced if any question on the steer axle rating of your truck.

Currently, Decker Truck Line’s specifications include steering axle components that will allow for 13,200 lbs. of weight. This weight is calculated based on the axle assembly, tires, springs, etc.
Decker does own a minimal number of trucks with a 12000 to 12500 steer axle rating which should be moved out of the fleet in 2019.
To answer these questions please see below. If additional questions, please contact Maintenance Support or the Decker Shops.

Reefer & Standard Trailer
Flatbed & Spread-Axle Trailer
Taking the time to learn the proper procedure to scale a tractor-trailer is well worth it.

Omnitracs Navigation

Posted by deckerAdmin

How to use the Omnitracs Navigation

Omnitracs Tutorial

Omnitracs tutorial for those who are struggling to figure out how to use the Omnitracs Navigation. Not all truck navigation systems are the same.

Omnitracs help line is 800.541.7490.

#DeckerTruckLine#TruckNavigation#OmnitracsNavigation

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